Poultry and Salmonella

Did you know that perfectly healthy poultry can carry Salmonella? In order to keep you and your family safe and healthy it is important to follow a few simple guidelines. These guidelines include keeping poultry outside, washing your hands, not eating or drinking around your birds and more. Brush up on this important information by reading this great article by the CDC ❤️

Avian Influenza Update

Avian Influenza (Bird Flu) has become a concern in the United States. It is considered an exotic disease, but is slowly working its way across the country and will eventually reach the East Coast. There is a highly pathogenic strain (HPAI H5) that spreads quickly and causes high death rates. This disease is easily spread from bird to bird as well as via clothing and equipment. It is spread primarily through waterfowl that carry the disease, but do not get sick from it.

There are several ways to help prevent spread of this disease and signs to watch for. Biosecurity is an important aspect in decreasing the spread of any disease. New birds should be obtained from reputable sources and kept separate from current birds for 30 days before introducing them to the flock. All equipment, including egg containers and transportation equipment should be cleaned and disinfected regularly and should not be shared between groups of birds. Clothing should be washed and changed as well. Clinical signs to watch for include: sudden death, nasal discharge, difficulty breathing, lethargy, discolored wattles/combs, drop in egg production, and misshapen eggs.

The State Veterinarians highly recommend obtaining a federal premises ID number so they can provide you with up to date information to help prevent outbreaks and, in case of an outbreak, they can help you manage your flocks appropriately.

The VT and NH State Veterinarians, as well as the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) are good resources for more specific information on avian influenza. Here are some ways to contact them if you would like further information or are concerned you may be dealing with this disease:

What is a Podenco?

One of our clients recently adopted an Ibizan hound named Skylar. Skylar came to vist us for a wellness check shortly after she was picked up at the airport. Her upbeat attitude and instant connection to her new family was obvious and has made for a very happy new story for Skylar. Julie was kind enough to share some photos and a little bit of information about her experience with the podenco rescue and her new dog, Skylar with us!

We first heard about Ibizian Hounds, also known as Podencos from a rescue organization we came across on Facebook called Galgos del sol, in Spain. This is a non-profit organization that rescues and rehabilitates abandoned or abused Galgos and Podencos. These two breeds are used during Spain’s hunting season. Once the season ends, they are left to die, brought to kill shelters or brutally killed. It is guessed that over 50,000 of these two breeds are killed annually. Most do not live to be 2 years of age and most locals in Spain would never consider having a Galgo or Podenco as a pet, as they look down upon them. Although this sighthound breed is known as the Spanish Greyhound, they have no lineage with the greyhound. Our Podenco has been the best addition to our family. She is wonderful with children and the most sweet, gentle and appreciative puppy. She is 10 months, full of love and has a clown-like personality who loves to entertain. We are so thankful she has found her forever home with us! –Julie

For more information about Ibizan Hound rescue, take a look at the Galgos del Sol rescue website.

The Real Risks of Parvovirus

It has recently been brought to our attention that several dogs in the Upper Valley area have contracted Parvovirus. Although Parvovirus is a disease that we do see occasionally in our practice its occurrence has been greatly reduced due to proper vaccination with the Distemper vaccine (which also offers protection from Parvo.) In order to be fully protective the Distemper vaccine must be given every 3-4 weeks from the time a puppy is 8 weeks old to the time they are at least 16 weeks of age. The vaccine should then be boostered every 1-3 years thereafter. Adult dogs who are vaccinated for the first time with the Distemper vaccine need to have a booster in 3-4 weeks, followed by a booster every 1-3 years.

Parvovirus typically affects puppies but can also affect unvaccinated or under-vaccinated adult dogs. Doberman Pincers, Rottweilers and Pit Bulls are at an increased risk. Most dogs contract Parvovirus through exposure to an infected dog’s feces. The virus is shed in the feces 4-5 days after exposure, and clinical symptoms do not typically occur until 6-10 days after exposure. This means that seemingly healthy dogs and puppies can shed the virus in their feces. Additionally, the virus is extremely hardy and can survive for a very long time in the environment. The virus can be carried on animals, people and objects and is not readily killed by heat, alcohol, or many other disinfectants. A 1:30 bleach solution is ideal for killing the virus in the environment.

Clinical signs of Parvovirus usually include severe vomiting and diarrhea. The diarrhea often contains blood and mucous and has a very strong smell. Lack of appetite, lethargy and fever can also be present. These symptoms occur after the virus has entered the body through the mouth and traveled to the intestines where it causes severe inflammation and death of the intestinal cells. The death and sloughing of the intestines can often lead to systemic infection (sepsis).

It is imperative that any dog who is experiencing severe diarrhea (especially those who have been knowingly exposed to Parvo or have not received their complete series of puppy vaccines) be tested for Parvovirus. Diagnosis of Parvovirus is usually done in the clinic using a fresh fecal sample. The test results are typically available in about 10 minutes.

There is NO CURE for Parvovirus. Treatment consists of supportive care which can become quite expensive. Supportive care includes IV fluids and electrolytes to combat dehydration, antibiotic therapy to combat infection, medication to stop diarrhea and vomiting, anti-inflammatories to decrease intestinal inflammation and occasionally blood transfusions to combat severe blood loss. Your pet has the best chance for recovery if a diagnosis is made early on and aggressive treatment is used. Even in these best case scenarios not all puppies can be saved.

Since there is no cure for Parvovirus and it can be an extremely expensive and difficult disease to treat successfully, prevention is imperative. The key to prevention is proper vaccination by your veterinarian. All puppies should receive a Distemper vaccine at approximately 8, 12, and 16 weeks of age with an additional booster given within 1 year. Limiting your puppy’s exposure to dogs with known vaccine histories until their 16 week vaccine has been given is also very important. Puppies who have not received their full puppy vaccine series should not be allowed to go to dog parks, pet stores and other public places frequented by dogs with unknown vaccine histories. Although socializing your puppy is extremely important, caution should be taken to ensure that dog to dog interactions are limited to fully vaccinated dogs in a clean and safe area. Due to the ease of transmission and the virus’ ability to survive for 3+ months in the environment, limiting your puppy’s exposure can be the difference between life and death.

FDA Asks for Help From Veterinarians

Yesterday the FDA released a request to all veterinarians in the United States. They are asking that veterinarians who are treating cats and dogs who have become sick after eating jerky pet treats contact them immediately. The FDA is hoping that blood, urine and tissue samples from certain sick animals may help them determine what is causing these mysterious illnesses.

Jerky pet treats (mostly made in China) have been making pets sick since 2007, but so far the actual cause of the illness has eluded the FDA. The offending jerky pet treats can be made of chicken, duck, turkey, sweet potato or dried fruit. Although several brands of treats were recalled in January of this year, the six drugs reportedly found in these treats were found in very low levels and are likely not the cause of the illnesses we are seeing. Since 2007, 3,600 dogs and 10 cats have become ill after eating the treats with 580 of those pets dying.

Symptoms of illness include decreased appetite, lethargy, vomiting, diarrhea, or increased drinking and urination. Gastrointestinal upset/bleeding and kidney failure are the culprits of these symptoms. Additional symptoms have included skin problems, collapse, convulsions and seizures.

The FDA has tested numerous jerky treats for chemical and microbial contaminants, antibiotics, pesticides, and Salmonella. DNA testing of the products as well as inspections of production plants in China have also been conducted. As hard as the FDA has been working (with pet food firms in the US, scientists and production plants in China and veterinarians in the US) they still have not determined the cause of disease.

River Road Veterinary Clinic has treated patients for acute kidney disease likely related to the ingestion of these treats. Until the cause of illness has determined, River Road Veterinary Clinic recommends ONLY feeding treats made within the United States (such as Hills pet treats). Finding pet treats that are made in the US can be difficult since the FDA does not require that pet food manufacturers disclose the source of their ingredients. Locally made pet treats such as Wagatha’s Organic Dog Biscuits, Vermont Gourmet Dog Treats, Green Mountain Treats, and Brewski Biscuits offer an advantage since they are all made with local ingredients. Making pet treats at home in also a great way to ensure that your dog is not ingesting potentially harmful ingredients from outside the United States. Cesar’s Way provides some great homemade dog treat recipes and Simply Pets provides some tasty cat treat recipes.

Rabies: How Real is the Risk?

Within the last two months alone two separate rabies positive animals have been reported in Norwich, VT. A rabies positive bat was found on Norfolk Pond Road and a rabies positive raccoon was taken from Happy Hill Road. Rabies vaccination is required by law for all dogs, cats, and ferrets. Vaccination is strongly recommended for all cattle, horses, goats, sheep, llamas, and alpacas. The initial rabies vaccine for a dog must be given after 12 weeks of age and is valid for 1 year, each vaccine after that is valid for 3 years. Vaccinations for cats and ferrets are only valid for 1 year. Owners concerned with vaccinating their animals each year can choose to have blood drawn to be sent in for a titer-which will reveal whether the animal has enough antibodies present to fight off the virus.

Rabies is a 100% FATAL viral infection that can affect all warm-blooded animals- including people. The virus is carried in the saliva of an infected animal and thus is usually transmitted through a bite wound. The virus then affects the nervous system of the bitten animal, and travels along the nerves to the brain. In addition to bats and raccoons, skunks, foxes and coyotes are typical carries of the virus. Wildlife that has been affected by the virus is often found in open areas during inappropriate times of the day (ie raccoons roaming in the afternoon), can be unusually aggressive and exhibit odd behaviors such as tremors, circling or a head tilt.

If your pet has an injury or bite wound of unknown origin it is important that you contact River Road Veterinary Clinic immediately, even if your pet has a current rabies vaccination. A precautionary rabies booster will help ensure that your pet does not contract this devastating illness. More cats are infected with rabies than any other pet. Symptoms of the virus can take anywhere from several days to three months to appear and death usually occurs within 10 days of the onset of symptoms. Lameness, inability to eat, excessive salivation, hyperexcitability, aggression, anxiety, depression, lethargy, tremors, incoordination, dilated pupils, difficulty swallowing, convulsions, circling, fear of water, head pressing, staring at walls and a head tilt are all symptoms that your pet may be infected with rabies. If you notice any of these symptoms and it is possible that your animal has been exposed to any wildlife (please keep in mind that bats are often able to find their way into people’s homes) call your veterinarian immediately.

Animals that are previously unvaccinated and have had potential interaction with wildlife are often required to be quarantined in order to rule out rabies exposure. This is because rabies can only be definitively diagnosed by examining brain tissue- which requires euthanasia of the animal.

If you notice any wildlife acting strangely please call your local animal control authorities. Never attempt to approach any wildlife or domestic animals with unknown vaccine history who are behaving strangely. If you are bitten by an animal with unknown vaccine history or a wild animal contact your doctor immediately.

Eastern Equine Encephalitis: The Real Danger to You and Your Horse.

River Road Veterinary Clinic has just been notified that a horse in Highgate, VT was euthanized on August 30 as a result of being infected with Eastern Equine Encephalomyelitis (EEE). Last year EEE caused the death of two people and a horse in Vermont. So far this year mosquitos in several parts of the state have tested positive for EEE, and the Vermont Department of Health is cautioning people that it’s quite possible EEE is present in ALL AREAS of Vermont, and precautions should be taken regardless of the area you live in.

EEE is a mosquito-borne, viral infection that can be found in wild bird populations, and can cause severe encephalitis (neurological disease) in horses, llamas, alpacas, and humans. The Eastern, Western, Influenza, Tetanus combination equine vaccine provides excellent coverage against EEE. Vaccination is the best tool to protect your animal from this devastating disease. All horses should be vaccinated annually! Care should also be taken to protect yourself and your animals from mosquito bites. This can include mechanical barriers such as fly sheets and face nets, using an appropriate insect repellant, emptying water troughs twice weekly and removing stagnant water to limit mosquito populations. The Vermont Department of Health is also advising people to take every possible precaution to avoid mosquito bites until the first killing frost (which occurs when the temperature drops to 28 degrees for several hours). In addition to the previous suggestions, these precautions include wearing long sleeves, pants, socks, shoes, and a hat and limiting the amount of time spent outside during dawn and dusk hours.

Eastern Equine Encephalitis circulates in wild bird populations without causing clinical disease. Disease is then transmitted to mammals through the bite of a mosquito that has previously fed on an infected bird. The virus cannot survive on environmental surfaces. Mammals are considered “dead-end hosts” who cannot transmit disease to others.

Birds infected with EEE can shed the virus in feces, blood, or vomitus. Humans may become infected through contact with the virus through mucous membranes and/or open wounds. Please use caution when handling sick live birds as well as carcasses.

Early symptoms of EEE in horses are often nondescript and can mimic other less serious disease. After about two days, a low-grade fever may develop. After four to five days symptoms can include fever, rapid heart rate, poor appetite, and depression. Muscle weakness, neurological symptoms, behavioral changes, dementia, aggression, head pressing, wall leaning, circling, blindness, twitching, facial paralysis, and seizures may develop as the disease progresses. 75-90% of infected horses enter a semi-comatose, convulsive state resulting in death. Surviving horses usually retain permanent damage to the nervous system.

Symptoms of EEE in people can include either an acute onset of chills, fever, malaise, and joint/muscle pain that lasts one to two weeks or a more serious form that affects the central nervous system and causes fever, headache, irritability, convulsions and coma. This form of EEE is fatal in 35% of people affected. EEE does NOT just affect people with weakened immune systems, and can cause illness in young, healthy people.

Please call River Road Veterinary Clinic at (802) 649-3877 or contact the Vermont Department with any questions or to report potential cases of Eastern Equine Encephalitis.